If there's one thing the Caribbean is known for as much as its beaches, it's its rum. The spirit was first distilled on the islands during the 17th century when sugar plantation slaves discovered molasses – a byproduct of the refining process – could be fermented into alcohol. Caribbean rum producers have spent the centuries since perfecting the process of distillation, aging and blending, and many of the world's best rums come from the Caribbean.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Caribbean Rum Distillery are as follows:
- Topper's Rhum - Sint Maarten
- Appleton Estate - Jamaica
- Ron del Barrilito - Puerto Rico
- Cruzan Rum Distillery - St. Croix, U.S.V.I.
- Demerara Distillers - Guyana
- Callwood Rum Distillery - Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- Cadushy Distillery - Bonaire
- Clarke's Court Rum - Grenada
- John Watling's Distillery - Nassau, Bahamas
- Mount Gay Rum - Barbados
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning rum makers!
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The Experts
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon is a travel journalist,... Read More
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon is a travel journalist, on-screen host and self-described “Carivangelist” who ventures to the beach and beyond to share the culture, lifestyle and personalities of the Caribbean with the world. Based in Miami, she creates Caribbean content for outlets including Travel + Leisure, AARP, Islands.com, the U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper and Canada’s Globe and Mail. Sarah is also jetsetter-in-chief at JetSetSarah.com where her passions – the Caribbean, style and fitness – meet. Follow her adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon is a travel journalist, on-screen host and self-described “Carivangelist” who ventures to the beach and beyond to share the culture, lifestyle and personalities of the Caribbean with the world. Based in Miami, she creates Caribbean content for outlets including Travel + Leisure, AARP, Islands.com, the U.K.’s Telegraph newspaper and Canada’s Globe and Mail. Sarah is also jetsetter-in-chief at JetSetSarah.com where her passions – the Caribbean, style and fitness – meet. Follow her adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist... Read More
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Melanie Reffes

Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.